Book Review: ‘The Indigo Spell’ (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

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There are few stand-out book series like Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy and now the VA spin-off, Bloodlines. Mead has created a world so versatile and characters so captivating that it still manages to capture and keep my interest after 9 books. Her latest book is The Indigo Spell, the third, and as of now, best installment of the Bloodlines series.

The Indigo Spell, like the previous Bloodlines books, follows alchemist Sydney Sage, as she lives undercover in Palm Springs with Eddie, Angeline and Adrian to insure the protection of Jill, a Moroi vampire who is the queen’s sole family member. Following The Golden Lily, this book begins with Sydney practicing magic again with her mentor, Ms. Terwilliger. Sydney is now much more comfortable with practicing magic. Yet, she’s a lot more uncomfortable with being around Adrian since rejecting him when he declared his love to her.

However, when the two are reunited, Adrian drops his surly ways and decides to just love Sydney “from afar,” which of course makes the ever composed Sydney fluster. As usual, conflicts and twists pop up throughout the story, mysteries unfold only to reveal new ones, and we finally get to know the real deal behind this Marcus Finch dude. It all leads to a wonderful and unexpected ending that will leave you dying for The Fiery Heart.

Can you die by swooning too much? It’s been days since I finished The Indigo Spell, and I’m still swooning from this book. Those who were hoping for more romance from Adrian and Sydney will be very, very happy with this book. When I first started Bloodlines, I questioned the chemistry between Sydney and Adrian. Off the bat, it seemed like an odd pairing. Any doubts I had about them were erased with The Golden Lily, and The Indigo Spell cemented Sydney and Adrian as one of my all-time favorite YA literary couples.

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There are several subplots at work in this book, but the romance takes the forefront and appropriately so. This is the book when Sydney starts completely thinking for herself, not for the alchemists, vampires or anyone else telling her what she should or shouldn’t do. Part of that is admitting her feelings for Adrian. It has been very interesting seeing Sydney fight against loving Adrian, and experiencing her overcome deeply instilled prejudices and seeking the truth has been pretty incredible. Now, I’m really excited to see her fight for it, instead of against it. There’s a whole new set of troubles headed her way. It sure won’t be easy for her, but in true Richelle Mead fashion, it will be fascinating and keep us at the edge of our seats.

If you were worried that Mead was going to follow the same formula as in the Vampire Academy series, don’t be. She doesn’t, which is extremely lucky for us, since I’m still dealing with some emotional damage caused by a certain event in Shadow Kiss. The Bloodlines series is making its own way with a different and mostly unpredictable story. Sydney’s perspective remains refreshing and experiencing this world through her eyes hasn’t even got a bit tiring. The next book will, for the first time, give us a chance to experience the story through Adrian. Even with reading The Indigo Spell, the reason for having two perspectives (both Sydney and Adrian) isn’t exactly clear. Mead must have more up her sleeve than I’m accounting for. (The Fiery Heart title is explained in The Indigo Spell. *Swooooooon* Sorry, but that title makes me so happy.)

The Indigo Spell is tight with a moving, great and unpredictable plot. The series just shifted into gear (Had to make a car reference in honor of Sydney), and the rest of the ride for Sydney and Adrian is sure to be full of bumps, chases and thrills.

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Gabrielle founded The Young Folks in 2010 with Luciana Villalba. Since then, she has served as editor-in-chief and oversees the staff and editorial content on the site. She is currently an undergrad at Northwestern University, studying English and cinema studies.

Feels weird to do any amount of self-promo these days but sometimes I forget that authors will read the things I write about them. @BCMorrow wrote #ASongBelowWater and it’s one of the most successful combinations of fantasy and real-world themes that I have ever read. (1/?) https://t.co/4xT2LpxW0a

Y’all. Rebecca reviewed ASBW for The Young Folks. She’s the person I referenced in an earlier tweet. We’ve never met, we’re from different racial backgrounds, and lived experiences. And she GOT IT. She got my Very Black Book.